Beauty

How In the Heights Star Melissa Barrera Got Ready for the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival

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Getty Images/ John Lamparski

Last night, Melissa Barrera was ready to celebrate as she arrived at Tribeca Film Festival s opening night for the In The Heights premiere.

The actor and newly announced Clinique global ambassador wore a bright, floor-length Dundas World gown which showed off her luminous skin with an elongated keyhole, cutout waist, and slit at the thigh. “We always knew the dress needed to be green,” says stylist Penny Lovell. “Melissa’s character in the film, Vanessa, considers it her power color and Melissa really wanted the look for the premiere to be inspired by that and reflect that.”

The gown was accented with jewelry by Cartier, along with hair and makeup inspired by the glamour of the ’70s. For makeup, artist Talia Sparrow referenced Pat Cleveland, opting for the show-stopping mermaid eye and defined lip the model was known for. Hairstylist Clayton Hawkins drew inspiration from Cher when creating Barrera s sleek, waist-length ponytail.

Getting ready was a family affair, as the actor got glam alongside her mother and two sisters, Mayelah and Rossana. Below, an inside look at how Barrera s look came together for the evening.

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    Photo: Spencer Wells / Courtesy of Clinique
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    Lovell and Barrera wanted to tap into the glamour of the ’70s with the bright colors seen at Studio 54. Everyone on the glam team is a fan of the new Halston series on Netflix.

  • Photo: Spencer Wells / Courtesy of Clinique
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    Statement jewelry and emerald platform sandals to complement the look.

  • Photo: Spencer Wells / Courtesy of Clinique
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    “After a long week of press and events, Melissa was feeling a little dry under her eyes. Since that was going to be the focus of the look, we added a little extra hydration with Moisture Surge 96-Hour Eye Hydrator,” says Sparrow. “We added a little bit of Even Better Concealer under the eyes as well, to help brighten.”

  • Photo: Spencer Wells / Courtesy of Clinique
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    Using Cher as the inspiration for Barrera’s lengthy ponytail, Clayton used Bumble Bumble products to create the sleek look.

  • Photo: Spencer Wells / Courtesy of Clinique
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    A colorful array of makeup that brought out Barrera’s radiant complexion.